Public-domain source text

Great Fire in Michigan

by James McIntyre

From Standard Ebooks · standardebooks/james-mcintyre_poetry

Farmer’s Loss
Many a homestead it was burned, And many a family sadly mourned, The death of those were near and dear, But fire the tangled bush did clear.
And soon our country was more wealthy, Now already ’tis more healthy; ’Twas cheap way matted brush to clear, But for the loss of friends so near.
We lost our houso and barn and corn, But for long we did not mourn; For there came quick to our relief, The nation’s aid to soothe our grief.
It seems to me now but a dream, How our lives were saved in a broad stream; Our cattle and horse there we drove, And bears and wolves were there, by jove.
Though all were huddled in a jam, Each wild beast was as quiet as lamb; And there we were for three whole days, Surrounded by the furious blaze.
Worse than the fire the awful smoke, To death by hundreds it did choke; Many thought it was judgment day, When Heaven and earth would pass away.

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